Pat Cummins: Schedule Impact on Lack of WTC Final Warm-up Games
Australia captain Pat Cummins has provided justification for the team’s choice to forego warm-up matches prior to the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Cummins attributed the absence of warm-up games to the demanding cricket schedule. Leading the Australian team, Cummins will face India in the WTC final scheduled for June 7 at the Kia Oval in London.
Australia captain Pat Cummins has defended the team’s choice to forgo warm-up matches prior to the World Test Championship final and the Ashes series. Cummins cited the challenging schedule as the reason for the decision, stating that there is limited time available for practice matches. The team has adopted a no-tour match policy since their tour of Pakistan last year, and this policy will be maintained for their upcoming important tour to England. The tour includes a WTC final against India at The Oval from June 7-11, followed by the Ashes series scheduled from June 16 to July 31.
When questioned about the potential rustiness of the Australian squad, barring a few exceptions, due to the lack of game time since the India series, Captain Pat Cummins expressed a difference of opinion on Sunday. Cummins emphasized that breaks are seldom available and implied that the team is accustomed to adapting quickly to match situations despite limited playing time.
“I have always believed that, especially with six Test matches on the horizon, including the highly anticipated Ashes series, it is better for bowlers to be slightly underprepared rather than overexerted,” stated Captain Pat Cummins during the ICC’s ‘Afternoon with Test Legends’ event at the Oval. He emphasized the importance of being physically fresh from a bowler’s perspective. Cummins brushed off any concerns of rustiness, highlighting the team’s rigorous training back home, which has left them rejuvenated and eager for the upcoming matches. Regarding the pitch conditions, Cummins expressed his satisfaction with the good bounce on offer and expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to capitalize on the favorable circumstances, noting that they have a sufficient number of bowlers at their disposal.
“You have to be strategic in choosing the right moments to push for wickets,” explained Pat Cummins. “Our primary goal is to take 20 wickets, but it’s important to understand that there’s no need to exhaust all our resources in the first innings. We have a strong bowling unit, and we’ll utilize our bowlers strategically at different stages of the game.”
Historically, Australia’s success at the Oval has been limited, with only two Test victories in the past 50 years. Their overall win percentage at this South London venue stands at 14 percent.
“Our playing group has not featured in many of those 50 Tests at the Oval. Most of us have limited experience in Ashes games. However, some of our players have performed well, scoring runs and generating pace and bounce with the ball. So, we are optimistic about our chances,” expressed Pat Cummins, highlighting the team’s relative lack of exposure at the venue.
Cummins acknowledged that this World Test Championship (WTC) cycle has been a turning point for the squad after missing out on the final in the previous cycle. Interestingly, the team had rarely discussed the disappointment until then. “Missing out on the final has been a driving force for the team, and we have worked hard to earn our place in the final,” he affirmed.
He further emphasized that among the teams they have faced, the Indian team has pushed them the most, especially with their consecutive series victories in Australia. “At home, we have been quite dominant, except for the series against Rohit’s team led by Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, where we faced significant challenges. Currently, everyone is hitting their stride, with some players at the peak of their careers,” Cummins added, highlighting the team’s overall readiness for the upcoming challenges.
